There is a lot of nonsense that can be cut from the DoD. Problem is, the DoD doesn’t cut the bull, they cut weapon systems and essential personnel.
CNN trying to create rifts and divides here...
I think there are plenty of efficiencies in DOD that could indeed yield some significant savings in the budget. I feel very confidant that with a Republican majority in the House there will not be irresponsible cutting of the defense budget and I do not believe the Country will be in jeopardy if we do take a hard look at what we are really spending money on.
It’s reasonable to put everything on the table for consideration, with decisions on what gets cut after some proper analysis.
When I was in the Navy the goal was to spend as much as you could because if you didn’t they would assume you didn’t need the money and next year’s budget would be smaller. This thinking isn’t unique to the Navy. I’m pretty confident you could slash budgets across the entire realm of government and true effectiveness wouldn’t be affected in the slightest.
There are still military bases in Europe that can be closed down creating major cost saving opportunities. The bulk of the military budget cost is not weapons systems but the actual boots on the ground.
btw - the Russians aren’t going to be invading Europe for any reason given their own aging and declining population. They have too much money to make by overcharging for natural gas and gobs of oil to sell. Engaging in aggressive and expensive military adventures does not fit their long term interests.
I am ALL for a strong military and an effective National Defense. However, there is plenty of room for significant budget cuts.
The DoD, like any other gooberment bureaucracy, has thousands of unneeded bureaucrats and billions of $$$ in wasteful spending.
Support our troops, provide them the equipment they need to do the job; but cut out all the bullsqueeze!
In far too any cases DoD budget = Pork.
So, ya, let there be cuts - stating with Europe, NATO, South Korea and so on.
The congress has always used the military budget to hide ear marks they call special projects, but are really just more ear mark pork. The dumb blond senator in tenny shoes had three boats built for the navy that the navey did not want and have never used.
2. Eliminate the following Federal Departments/Agencies: DHHS, Transportation, HUD, Education, Energy, Agriculture, Commerce, Labor, Interior, EPA, SSA, National Science Foundation (WTF?), Corps of Engineers, National Infrastructure Bank (WTF?), Corporation for National Community Service (WTF?), Small Business Administration, General Services Administration, Other Agencies, Other ($501.3Bn)
3. Cut the following Mandatory Spending by 25%: Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Other ($500.7Bn)
4. You now have a $834.4Bn surplus to pay down the debt and reduce taxes.
I just saw this blurb today:
“Lockheed Martin awarded $3.48B government contract modification
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Co. is being awarded a $3.48B modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract. This modification converts contract type for the efforts described below from a cost-plus-incentive-fee to a fixed-price-incentive for the manufacture and delivery of F-35 Joint Strike Fighter low rate initial production Lot IV aircraft. “
I understand this cost plus business is, all they have to do is show expenses, get an auto % markup on top of this, regardless of results.
This doesn’t sound like a recipe for fiscal sanity at all. Or results, for that matter.
And military retirees will probable wind up taking it in the shorts.
Is there such a thing??